Our mate is coming.
How do you know?
He loves us. Confidence radiated from Tara’s bear.
We have to get out of the vehicle or he won’t find us.
Tare forced her legs and arms to work together. The cold water made her limbs sluggish. She managed to grab the back of the passenger seat and used it to pull herself into the back seat. Pain surged through her body causing her to gasp for more air.
The SUV shifted.
The windshield broke with a loud pop.
Water poured into the vehicle.
The SUV shifted again. The roof hit the bottom of the river, sending more water rushing inside the vehicle.
Tara took a deep breath and sank under the water. The current made by the water rushing into the vehicle pushed against her, but Tara fought her way through it toward the back window. Several seconds her hands felt the doorframe. She wrapped her fingers around the edges and pulled herself out of the wreckage.
Tara’s head broke the surface. She gasped for air.
The bank was only ten feet from her.
Tara clawed the water. Several minutes later, her hands touched the rocky bank. She pulled her upper body out of the water, and collapsed.
“You stupid bitch!”
Tara looked up. Donald was limping toward her. She closed her eyes, too tired to keep them open.
“You’re going to pay for this.”
A boot connected with Tara’s shoulder. She tried to raise her arms to protect herself, but the arm her arms wouldn’t function.
Donald kicked her again.
A loud roar filled the air, followed by Donald’s screams.
Tara was too tired to open her eyes.
Donald’s screams abruptly stop.
“Tara, open your eyes.”
Tara thought she heard Jason’s voice. She wasn’t sure if she dreamed it or not. Someone rolled her over, causing her to groan. Curses filled the air.
“Tara, look at me.”
Tara tried opening her eyes. She managed to open one just enough to see Jason staring down at her. “Jason,” she whispered as the darkness claimed her.
* * *
Wake up. Cub is hungry. I am hungry.
Tara mumbled and rolled over.
Feed us or I go and find food. Fresh fish from the river sounds good. We will have a good swim.
Are you trying to make me sick? Tara opened her eyes.
We are hungry. Cube needs food. You need food. Enough sleep.
Tara yawned and stretched. She sat up in bed and looked around the room. She was home in Jason’s bedroom. Is the cub okay?
Cub is hungry.
Tara smiled as she put her hands on her stomach. “So you’re hungry. I’m hungry too.” Tara pushed off the covers and swung her legs out of the bed.
“Don’t you dare get out of that bed.”
Tara looked up to see Jason walking toward her. A woman with gray streaked chestnut hair followed him. “I’m going to the bathroom.”
“Right.” Jason picked Tara up and carried her to the bathroom. He put her down and stepped outside the room. “I’ll be right here.”
Tara rolled her eyes and shook her head. She closed the door.
A few minutes later, she opened the bathroom door. Jason was leaning against the doorframe, blocking her way out. He picked her up and carried her back to the bed. Tara raised an eyebrow at him as he tucked the blanket around her.
“You look a lot better,” said Jason. He brushed the back of his hand against her cheek.
“I feel a lot better, and we’re hungry.”
“Jason, why don’t you go get Tara some of the soup you made.” The older woman put her hand on Jason’s shoulder.
Jason frowned but left the room without an argument.
“Who are you?” asked Tara. She watched the woman.
“I’m Doctor Sally Anderson and I’m Jason’s aunt. You gave him quite a scare.”
“It wasn’t intentional. I had to make sure the cubs were safe. Knowing what I know now about Donald, I would do it again.”
The woman sat down on the edge of the bed next to Tara. “I wouldn’t expect anything less.” She winked at Tara. “Now, let’s take a look at you. I want to make sure you are okay. I’m tired of keeping Jason out of here.”
“I’m fine. How are Ben and Haley?” Tara crossed her arms.
“Stubborn, I see.” Sally smiled. “The bruising is gone. Do you have any pain anywhere?”
“No.”
“Any cramps?”
“No cramps. My bear says the only thing wrong with the cub is she’s hungry. I’m hungry too.”
“Then I don’t think I’m needed here anymore. No more driving vehicles into the river.” Sally got up and left.
Jason came into the room. “Aunty Sally said you’re okay. Are you sure you’re okay?” He sat down next to Tara and balanced a tray of food on his lap.
“I’m fine, and the cub is fine. I’m sorry. I did what I had to do to keep Haley and Ben safe.”
Jason sat the tray on the nightstand. “But he almost killed you.”
“Because I didn’t do what he told me to do, and I fought back because I was determined not to go with him.” Tara touched Jason’s arm. “I’ve always know Donald was a horrible person, but the side I saw at the river I never knew about. I hope I never see it again.”
“You won’t.”
“I remember growls and screams.”
“He won’t hurt you or the cubs again.” Jason looked away from her.
Tara launched herself into his arms. “Thank you,” she said in a soft voice as she snuggled against him.
“You’re not upset?” Jason wrapped his arms around Tara.
Tara looked up at her mate. “If I had had the strength, my bear and I would have ripped his arms off and beat him with them.”
“You’re a blood thirsty little thing, aren’t you?”
“Only when it comes to protecting what’s mine.” Tara tilted her head up. “Now kiss me.”
“You should eat first.” Jason brushed Tara’s lips with a light kiss.
“Is that the way to kiss your mate?”
“I don’t want to hurt you.”
Tara pulled out of his arms. “You have a choice. Either make love to me, or find out what happens when I don’t get my way.”
Jason sniffed. The sweet smell of lemons and honey filled the air. “And what happens if you don’t get my way.”
Tara grinned. “I thought you would never ask.” She pulled Jason down and straddled him. “I’m going to enjoy this.” Her eyes flashed silver.
Mate wants to play.
Yes, she does.
Mate smells good.
Good enough to eat, said Jason.
Lemon and honey.
“I have a good idea.” Jason rolled taking Tara with him. He nuzzled her neck. “I think you have on too many clothes.”
“There’s not much I can do about them. It seems I have a Neanderthal on top of me.”
Jason nipped her neck. “How about a Neanderthal in you?”
Tara felt her juices leaking out of her of pussy. “What are you waiting for?”
One of Jason’s fingers lengthened into a wicked looking claw. Carefully he cut Tara’s clothes and peeled them off body. “Guess I’ll just have to take you shopping later.” He gently massaged her breasts. “These are so beautiful. I can’t wait to see our cub suckling from them.” He pinched and teased one nipple while he teased the other one with his tongue.
Tara laced her fingers in his hair and arched her back. “Please, I need you now.”
Jason growled. He flipped Tara over onto her hands and knees. He rubbed each the soft curvy rear offered up to him. His cock grew harder. He had almost lost her. He needed Tara as much as she needed him. Jason reached down and pushed a finger into her pussy. She was wet for her mate.
“Quit teasing me.” Tara moaned. Her body trembled.
Jason removed his finger. Gr
abbing her hips, he pulled Tara back to him. He stopped. The tip of his cock was at the lips of her wet pussy. “Who do you belong to?”
“Don’t tease me.” Tara tried to push back against him, but Jason held her in place.
“Who do you belong to?” growled Jason.
“You, I belong to you and you belong to me.”
Jason plunged deep into her. He pulled out and plunged deep into her again.
“Yes!” Tara pushed back each time Jason plunged into her.
“Come for me.” Jason pounded into her harder.
Tara moaned and called his name as the orgasm crashed over her.
Jason growled her name and bit down on her shoulder as he released his seed deep in her.
When the last tremors faded, Jason held Tara tight to him and rolled to his side, taking her with him. He kissed her then licked her shoulder where he had bitten her.
Tara sighed as she drifted off to sleep in her mate’s arms.
EPILOGUE
Tara stared out the window, watching Ben play with Haley. She rubbed the bump that was starting to show.
“What did Noah want?” Jason came up behind Tara and wrapped his arms around her.
“Noah, mom, and Owen want us to come for Thanksgiving.”
“We’re supposed to be going to my parents.” Jason kissed the top of her head.
“That’s what I told Noah, so they’re going to have their Thanksgiving on Friday so we can come.”
Jason chuckled. “I still can’t believe my in-laws are cats.”
“It could have been worse. I could have been a cat too.” Tara leaned back against Jason.
“Not likely. What else did Noah say?”
“Your divorce papers will be here in the next day or two.”
“Good.” Jason kissed the top of Tara’s head. “Anything else?”
“Something about Christmas being a good time for a wedding otherwise he was going to have a new bear rug in front of his fireplace,” said Tara.
“He’s not demanding much.”
Tara snorted. “I don’t think he’s demanding enough. Your mom started hinting about needing another wedding too.”
“She cornered me at David and Lisa’s wedding.”
Tara laughed.
“What’s so funny?”
“Your mom sent a bunch of articles to me about winter weddings.”
“Just wait until she gets Granma involved.”
“I think she already did. I got a call from Miss Pamela this morning.”
Jason kissed her neck, just above the scar he left when he bit her. “You’re in my cave and you’re mine.”
“Don’t be such a Neanderthal.”
“Did Noah say anything about your accounts?”
“He got all my accounts released back to me, and he’s filed against Donald’s estate for the full market value of the condo and my SUV. Noah says we probably won’t get anything from it. He was able to retrieve my laptop and a few other things. I can pick them up Thanksgiving.”
“I’m sorry. New York real estate isn’t cheap. That’s a lot of money to lose.”
“Honestly, I could care less about the condo or the SUV. I have what’s important. I have you and the cubs.”
Jason hugged her. “What are you going to do with your bank accounts?”
“That’s what we need to talk about.” Tara turned to face Jason. “I want to set up trust accounts for Ben, Haley, and the cub.
“Trust accounts?” Jason stared at her. “What are you talking about?”
“Donald was able to drain the money out of the joint account I had with Andrew, but he wasn’t able to get into my personal accounts—accounts I had before I got married. Those accounts were under my maiden name and my pen name.”
“Tara, you don’t have to worry about money. I’ve got plenty.”
“I’m not worried about money, but we never really talked about what I do for a living, so this may come as a shock.” Tara took a deep breath and let it out. “I’m a writer. I’ve been a writer since I got out high school.”
“I know you’re a writer,” said Jason.
“Writing is not a hobby for me. I’m a published writer. I write paranormal romance. Several of my books have been turned into made for television movies, and my agent is working on a deal for a couple of more.”
Jason stared at Tara. “How much are you worth?”
“I can pay off all the Anderson family debt and not miss the money. Our cubs will never have to worry about poverty, but I don’t want them to think or act like they’re privilege.”
Jason shook his head His mate was something else. “What am I going to do with you?”
Tara smiled. “Take me upstairs and make love to me.”
Jason pulled her into his arms and kissed her. “You are mine.” He picked her up and carried her upstairs.
Outside, Ben picked up Haley. “Why don’t we go get some hot chocolate?”
Haley clapped her hands then wrapped her arms around Ben’s neck. “My bear. My brother.”
Ben smiled. He carried Haley to the house.
The wind shifted.
Ben paused at the backdoor. He sniffed the air and frowned. Something was coming. He hugged Haley tighter, went inside the house, and closed the door.
THE END
Chasing Tara (Bryant Station Curves) Page 9
